What type of joint is the hip joint?

The hip joint is a synovial joint of the ball-and-socket variety. This multiaxial design allows for a wide range of movements, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation.

What structures contribute to the stability of the hip joint?

The hip joint is highly stable due to the deep acetabulum and its acetabular labrum, three strong ligaments (iliofemoral, pubofemoral, and ischiofemoral), surrounding muscles like the gluteus medius and minimus, and the length and obliquity of the femoral neck.

What are the main ligaments of the hip joint?

The hip joint is reinforced by several ligaments: the iliofemoral ligament (strongest, prevents hyperextension), pubofemoral ligament (limits over-abduction), ischiofemoral ligament (weakest, reinforces the posterior capsule), ligamentum teres femoris (connects the femoral head to the acetabulum), and the transverse acetabular ligament and acetabular labrum.

What movements are possible at the hip joint?

As a ball-and-socket joint, the hip permits flexion (110°–120°), extension (~15°), abduction (~50°), adduction, medial rotation (~25°), lateral rotation (~60°), and circumduction (combined motion).

What are the key clinical conditions associated with the hip joint?

Common clinical correlations include congenital dislocation (due to lax capsule or underdeveloped acetabulum), fractures of the femoral neck (can disrupt blood supply, leading to avascular necrosis), osteoarthritis (degenerative changes causing pain and restricted movement), and referred pain (hip issues may cause knee pain due to shared nerve innervation).

Which nerves supply the hip joint?

The hip joint receives nerve supply from the femoral nerve (via nerve to rectus femoris), obturator nerve (anterior division), accessory obturator nerve (if present), nerve to quadratus femoris, and superior gluteal nerve, with segmental innervation from L2–L5.

What is the arterial supply to the hip joint?

Blood supply comes from the medial circumflex femoral artery (provides vital retinacular arteries), lateral circumflex femoral artery, obturator artery (gives acetabular branch via ligamentum teres), superior and inferior gluteal arteries, and nutrient artery of femur. Damage to retinacular arteries in fractures can cause avascular necrosis.

Hip Joint – Anatomy, Ligaments, Movements & Blood Supply

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